What Courses Are in the Program?

SMBA Core: 21 creditsPROF 515 Ethical Practice and PolicySUST 525 Making the Invisible Visible: The ESG PropositionSBUS 503 Organizational Behavior and Change Management StrategiesSBUS 505 Accounting & Finance for Sustainable SolutionsSUST 515 Leading Sustainable ChangeMKTG 505 Marketing ResearchSBUS 691 SMBA CapstoneMajor Program Core: 15 creditsSBUS 550 The Low Carbon EconomySBUS 560 Climate StrategySBUS 610 Operational DrawdownSBUS 620 Climate ReportingSBUS 630 Beyond Net Zero: Net PositiveFor course requirements and a better look into your program, view our full course catalog. Then apply online for free to get started.

SMBA in Climate-Ready Business

Q: How is an SMBA Different From an MBA?

A Sustainable Master of Business Administration (SMBA) includes the foundational concepts of a Master of Business Administration (MBA), while also integrating principles of environmental and social responsibility to prepare future business leaders to drive long-term economic success that includes ecological resilience and societal well-being.

Multie ethnic group of people meeting in front of wind turbines.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Connect Climate to Business

The Climate-Ready Business degree offers skills-based learning in sustainability strategy, risk analysis, and financial decision-making, preparing students to integrate climate resilience into core business strategy with a focus on risk mitigation, cost savings, and long-term growth.

Career Outlook: Chief Sustainability Officers in the U.S.

309 K

Number of jobs in 2024*

4 %

Est. job growth through 2034*

$ 214 K

Median annual salary in 2025*

*Source: O*Net/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unity Environmental University cannot guarantee employment. Salary data represents averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience.

Career Outcomes

What Can I Do With a Master’s Degree in Climate-Ready Business?

Chief Sustainability Officer

Set and execute company-wide environmental strategy at the executive level.

ESG Strategy Director

Lead corporate programs that meet investor and regulatory sustainability demands.

ESG Compliance Analyst

Assess corporate programs in meeting investor and regulatory sustainability demands.

Sustainable Operations Executive

Align business operations with long-term environmental commitments.

Sustainable Investment Analyst

Assess portfolios and investments on environmental and financial return.

ESG Communications Coordinator

Organizing stakeholder communication, messaging strategy, and building trust.

“This journey with Unity has been transformative…”

Nicholas B.
Unity Alum

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Nicholas B.
Unity Alum

This journey with Unity has been transformative, setting the stage for a future where I can fully immerse myself in the field of conservation, striving for a world where humans live in harmony with nature. It’s a path that promises not just personal fulfillment but also the chance to make a lasting impact on our planet’s ecological balance.

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FAQ

Learn More About the Master’s in Climate-Ready Business

Climate-Ready Business focuses on equipping organizations to tackle the challenges posed by climate change through innovative solutions and sustainability leadership. It emphasizes the importance of climate change leadership in developing effective climate mitigation strategies and adaptation measures. By implementing climate action plans, businesses can align their operations with global climate agreements, enhancing their resilience through renewable energy systems and informed climate policy and governance.

The Climate-Ready Business program prepares the next generation of business leaders to strategically address climate-related issues by linking those issues to business value creation: risk mitigation, cost saving and revenue generating opportunities, brand enhancement, and pre-competing. This focus will prepare students for their next professional role interacting with climate challenges and opportunities in business.

Your online education should be affordable and manageable. Thanks to our promise to keep tuition flat through 2030, you won’t be burdened with unexpected increases or fees.

Our team of distance education concierges will work with you through the admissions process to help you plan and pay for your degree. Learn more about the costs here.

The timeframe for completion of the SMBA in Climate-Ready Business master’s degree is up to you! Enroll in 6 credits per term and complete the SMBA program in a little over one year. Alternatively, opt for part-time study by taking one course at a time. Whichever path you choose, we’re here to support your educational journey every step of the way. Contact your concierge or advisor to create your personalized plan.

SMBA Core: 21 credits

PROF 515 Ethical Practice and Policy
SUST 525 Making the Invisible Visible: The ESG Proposition
SBUS 503 Organizational Behavior and Change Management Strategies
SBUS 505 Accounting & Finance for Sustainable Solutions
SUST 515 Leading Sustainable Change
MKTG 505 Marketing Research
SBUS 691 SMBA Capstone

Major Program Core: 15 credits

SBUS 550 The Low Carbon Economy
SBUS 560 Climate Strategy
SBUS 610 Operational Drawdown
SBUS 620 Climate Reporting
SBUS 630 Beyond Net Zero: Net Positive

For course requirements and a better look into your program, view our full course catalog. Then apply online for free to get started.

A Sustainable Master of Business Administration (SMBA) includes the foundational concepts of a Master of Business Administration (MBA), while also integrating principles of environmental and social responsibility to prepare future business leaders to drive long-term economic success that includes ecological resilience and societal well-being.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

Climate-Ready Business Course Examples

Low angle photo of two men shaking hands in front of a windmill.

The Low Carbon Economy

In this course, you’ll explore the transition to a low-carbon economy, examining what drives and hinders this transformation—like policy, NGO pressure, and customer expectations—through theoretical frameworks, case studies, and practical projects.

Climate Reporting

In this course, you’ll explore and compare various climate-related reporting protocols and frameworks, then select one mandatory protocol, one voluntary framework, and one third-party rater to address for a chosen company.

Picture of a woman presenting a topic to a group.

Beyond Net Zero: Net Positive

In this course, you’ll examine the thresholds for sustainability, net zero, and net positive, exploring planetary boundaries and studying the Future Fit Business Benchmark to develop a net positive plan for a chosen company.

Learn from Leaders

Learn from Leaders

PhD in Business Sustainability and Strategy

Dr. Maya Jabar
Global Expert in Social Entrepreneurship and Business Transformation

Learn More About Dr. Jaber

Dr. Maya Jabar
Global Expert in Social Entrepreneurship and Business Transformation

Dr. Maya Jaber holds a Ph.D. in Business Sustainability and Strategy from Birmingham City University and brings over two decades of business expertise as a social entrepreneur, educator, and independent consultant. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles within organizations while also building an independent consultancy practice focused on sustainable business transformation.

Dr. Jaber’s work centers on helping organizations blend Environmental, Social, and Governance priorities with practical business strategy. She develops approaches that support cultural change, streamline operations, drive organizational growth, and strengthen financial performance, all grounded in an emphasis on people. Her approach draws on both creative and analytical skills, moving between big-picture strategy and day-to-day execution, and combining qualitative insight with quantitative data. Across her work, she keeps people at the center of every solution.

Learn from Leaders

B.S. in Systems Engineering, MBA in Strategy

Jeff Gowdy
Global Expert in Sustainability and ESG

More Info

Jeff Gowdy
Global Expert in Sustainability and ESG

Jeff Gowdy is a globally recognized leader and practitioner in sustainability and ESG, particularly in the areas of strategy, GHG emissions and science-based targets, reporting, goal setting, and materiality. He serves on the Board of the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) and teaches at Vanderbilt University. For the past twenty-two years, he has led projects across all aspects of environmental, social, and governance issues. He is a frequent speaker and writer, e.g. Sustainable Brands, GreenBiz. He graduated with academic honors from both the University of Virginia with a BS in Systems Engineering and Vanderbilt University with an MBA in strategy. Jeff has led hundreds of sustainability projects since 2002, including work on well-known projects such as GE’s Ecomagination launch, Walmart’s Sustainable Value Networks launch, and General Mills & Kellogg’s Science Based Targets. Other interesting projects: sustainability audit of Bonnaroo, GHG inventory for an NFL team, an LCA of insect-based protein, partnership assessment of African business schools for Vanderbilt, and an energy/climate plan for a Bahamian island.

Learn from Leaders

PhD in Business

Dr. Tomeika Williams
Global Expert in Accounting and Business Management

Learn More About Dr. Tomeika Williams

Dr. Tomeika Williams
Global Expert in Accounting and Business Management

Dr. Tomeika Williams brings more than a decade of experience in accounting education, along with a professional background spanning accounting, finance, and business. She holds associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Finance, as well as a Ph.D. in Business with a specialization in accounting, earned in 2015.

Before focusing on higher education, Tomeika worked in private accounting from 2005 to 2012, serving as a staff accountant, consultant, and accounting manager for small and midsized businesses across industries including real estate, distribution, market research, insurance, and telecommunications. Her experience working directly in the field continues to inform her approach to teaching accounting, business management, and corporate finance.

Tomeika began teaching accounting as an adjunct instructor in 2010 and has since taught both online and campus-based courses. Her work in higher education also includes curriculum development and instructional design, giving her a broad perspective on how accounting concepts can be made relevant and accessible to students preparing for professional careers.

Her academic work includes research and writing in areas such as fraud, forensic accounting, tax, corporate governance, behavioral accounting, and auditing. In 2015, she published her first accounting textbook for business majors. She has also presented at regional and local accounting conferences, including events hosted by the American Accounting Association and the Georgia Society of CPAs.

Tomeika’s recent research explores the relationship between corporate governance, management, and fraud in the precious metals industry. Her work reflects her broader interest in understanding the financial, organizational, and human factors that shape ethical decision-making and accountability in business.

Why Unity Distance Education?

Learning Flexibility

Balance life, work, and education by studying when and where you want.

High Educational Value

Nationally recognized educational quality at an affordable price.

Multiple Start Dates

Up to 5 terms each year let you take breaks without affecting financial aid.

Real Career Outcomes

Ranked in the top 1% of universities nationwide by the Social Mobility Index.

Accelerated Path

Fast-track your Master’s degree and finish your program in as little as one year.

Personalized Guidance

Dedicated to turning career and academic aspirations into tangible achievements.

Inspiring Faculty

Connect with experts who’ve built real careers in the field.

Sustainability Core

Focused on sustainable practices for an environmentally aware future.

Climate-Ready Business
Sustainable Master of Business Administration